Boat Ranch Parts Department

Truck Hitch Accessories

Your truck hitch receiver can transform your pickup into a heavy-duty towing machine, but that's not the only use for it. When you don't have a trailer in tow, your hitch can also be used for tons of great accessories – including everything from grill stations to hammocks to pet steps! So, what are the best truck hitch accessories on the market? In this guide, Boat Ranch introduce you to some of our favorite options for the Logan roads ahead. Take a look and get a little inspiration for the long road ahead.

Top Tow Hitch Accessories

Whether you love to take your truck on camping trips in Hillsboro or tailgating in American Fork, you might be surprised by the wide range of truck hitch accessories that are just a click away! Here are some useful options that you might consider for your future travels.

• Tow Hooks and Tow Straps: These toy hitch accessories offer a reliable anchoring point for all of your towing needs.
• Ball Mount: This commonly used accessory gives a connection point for hooking up a trailer. It may be fixed or adjustable, loaded or not, and in a wide range of sizes.
• Hitch Step: These steps slip right into your hitch receiver to give you a leg up into the truck bed. You can even get pet steps for your furry copilots!
• Sway Control: Keep your trailer true with a sway control accessory that removes unwanted movement.
• Towing Security: From hitch locks to hitch pins, these tow hitch accessories ensure that you have a rock-solid connection.
• Hitch Safe: Stash keys, cash, and other small valuables right inside the hitch of your truck and protect them with a combination lock.
• Cargo Rack: Maximize your cargo carrier with a hitch cargo holder to stash extra gear and equipment behind the bed.
• Hitch Bed Extender: Stretch out your standard bed dimensions and increase your weight capacity with the aid of this handy tow hitch accessory.
• Grill Stations: Attach a grill, cutting board, and table to your hitch and make your next camping trip even more memorable.
• TV Stand: Catch the big game while enjoying the fresh air, thanks to TV mounts that fit right into your tow hitch!

Keep Your Truck Clean with RAM 1500 Seat Covers

A great reason for owning a used pickup truck is being able to customize it your way, ranging from the hubcaps, performance, exhaust system, and interior features. RAM truck drivers use their vehicles for work around Logan may notice that their seats are getting dirty from the jobsite. Customize your pickup truck and keep it cleaner with our RAM 1500 seat covers.

Customize Your Interior with RAM 1500 Seat Covers

This genuine OEM accessory is for both front and rear seats, and they'll vary depending on the RAM 1500 seat size and if you have a regular cab, crew cab, quad cab, bucket seats, or a bench seat. You can order custom-fit seat covers, prefabricated seat covers, or seat armor. Our RAM 1500 seat covers come in a wide range of materials like neoprene, leatherette, and cotton blends, which gives you lots of options depending on what the seat covers are needed for. These covers can help you transition your RAM 1500 from day to night with ease so you can enjoy your weekend adventures in the Hillsboro area. You can also check out the Weathertech seat protectors that are made with heavy-duty construction to prevent spills, dirt and mud, and other messes from ruining your truck's upholstery. These are also excellent options if you have kids or pets, thanks to the tear-proof, waterproof material and finish. Have dogs who enjoy car rides? Seat covers, hammocks, and protectors are excellent options. Trying to clean dog hair and mud off of your seats can be challenging and time-consuming, so choose one of these three accessories and head out on exciting adventures around American Fork with your furry friend without worrying about ruining the inside of your pickup truck.

Explore Our RAM 1500 Seat Covers Today!

Check out our easy-to-clean RAM 1500 seat covers and how they can make your day-to-day routine easier. Don't hesitate to give us a call with any questions about the RAM seat size and seat covers. If you're in the market for a used pickup truck, check out our inventory of used RAM 1500 models. Do you see running boards listed as a feature on some RAM 1500 models but you're not sure what that is? We've got you covered. Learn what running boards are and how they can be helpful today with our experts.

What Are Airbags on a Truck?

The main purpose of airbags on a truck is to keep your car level when you are hauling or towing around Logan. It functions similarly to a balloon, pumping air into the airbag when there is a heavy load to keep the truck from squatting. When you are not towing you can simply let the air out of the airbag. Airbags are a towing system that can shift the way you drive while hauling. Hauling heavy loads with an inefficient suspension system can cause issues like braking or acceleration issues, or difficulty controlling your vehicle. Airbag systems are helpful in a variety of situations because not all roads are created equally and your vehicle can sometimes use the extra support.

What are the Pros and Cons of Airbag Suspension Systems?

Airbag suspensions systems are great when you are moving on different roads. If you are hauling on smooth roads and dirt roads, airbags help protect your vehicle from overload. An issue that is associated with airbag suspension systems is high maintenance activity. If you are only using this suspension system every once in a while, your Hillsboro dealership may recommend another system that has lower maintenance requirements.

How do Airbag Suspension Systems work?

Before you decide on the suspension system that will suit your needs in American Fork, you may be wondering how airbag suspension systems work. Or "do airbags lift your truck?" and the answer to that question is no. Airbag suspension systems are not the same as a lift kit, and both serve different purposes. An airbag suspension system is easy to install and attaches to holes that already exist in your truck frame. When they are installed, they operate like a tire. You inflate and deflate the airbag system with an air system that is placed at the rear of the bumper. There are also some systems available that allow you to control the air pressure from your front seat for added convenience.

You must be aware of the fact that airbag suspension systems do not increase the hauling capacity of your vehicle, but operate as a protection for your vehicle.

Visit Us at Boat Ranch!

Boat Ranch is here for the love of trucks. Our vehicles are built for the working man, and so are our additional systems. When you are buying your new truck, feel free to ask our experts about additional suspension systems to help support your haul. Contact us when you are ready for a test drive or visit us to discuss how to improve your truck.

What Trailer Hitch Do I Need?

A trailer hitch is a connecting device that attaches a car or truck to the vehicle or cargo it's towing. There are many different types of trailer hitches that are intended for various weight capacities and types of towing vehicles, and it can sometimes be overwhelming to consider all the choices! So, if you find yourself asking, "What do I need for a trailer hitch?", you're in luck. Truck Ranch has assembled a handy guide below that should get you started. Check it out, then head over to our online inventory to browse our available used trucks

Types of Trailer Hitches

There are five main types of trailer hitches for you to choose from for your pickup truck. The types themselves have individual classifications, but we're going to be keeping things as straightforward as possible here. Here are the main types of trailer hitches, along with their weight capacity and the type of cargo they're designed for:

• Pintle Hitch: This type of hitch is rated for a staggering 60,000 pounds, making it popular mostly in the construction industry. It uses a hook and a ring to attach the towable vehicle to the truck.
• Gooseneck Hitch: Rated for 38,000 pounds and commonly used with farming vehicles, a gooseneck hitch is another heavy-duty type of hitch. It's mounted in the bed of a pickup truck and is designed with a tight turn radius in mind, using a ball and coupler connection to attach the towable vehicle.
• Fifth Wheel Hitch: This is similar to a gooseneck hitch, but uses a kingpin connector instead of a ball and coupler. It's rated for 30,000 pounds and used with a fifth-wheel trailer.
• Weight Distributing Hitch: This type of hitch is sometimes classified as a hitch attachment rather than a hitch itself. It has a weight capacity of up to 15,000 pounds and, as the name suggests, it helps distribute weight evenly across your truck and what it's towing.
• Receiver Hitch: This hitch is rated for 20,000 pounds, and is the most common type of hitch you'll find. We've got more information about its weight-based classification below. You can use this type of hitch on anything from compact cars to heavy-duty flatbeds.

Receiver Hitch Classifications

Because receiver hitches are such a large class of trailer hitch, they're often divided into five classes based on weight for your convenience. When choosing a trailer hitch, it's important to see what classifications it's listed under. For your purposes, you really only need to consider Class 3 onward, since Class 1 and 2 are designed for cars, SUVs, and crossovers rather than trucks. Still, we've included a list of all five classes and their GTW (gross trailering weight) for reference:

• Class 1 - up to 2,000 pounds - designed for smaller cars and crossovers
• Class 2 - up to 3,500 pounds - designed for larger cars, crossovers, and minivans
• Class 3 - 3,500 pounds to 12,000 pounds - designed for crossovers, vans, SUVs, and trucks
• Class 4 - 8,000 pounds to 14,000 pounds - designed for trucks and SUVs
• Class 5 - 16,000 pounds to 20,000 pounds - designed for heavy-duty trucks and flatbeds

Discover Quality Used Trucks with Boat Ranch

If you have any questions about trailer hitches or want more information about what we've discussed above, feel free to contact our office anytime. You can also check out our financing options if you're ready to bring a quality used truck home for yourself!

Off Road Suspension and Other Upgrades You Should Consider

Tires

Tires may be the most important of all off road truck upgrades. Factory tires aren't made for the trail. Fit your truck out with tires made for off-roading, meaning taller treads and a wider footprint.

Off Road Suspension - Basic Hardware

Your truck is going to be bounced around much more off road than it will on Hillsboro streets. The factory shocks and struts aren't built for that kind of abuse. The kind of suspension-related off road accessories you should be looking for include shocks, struts, springs, and bushings. You'll have a smoother ride and you'll save your truck's suspension.

Off Road Suspension - Lift Kits

If there's one thing you need on the trail, it's clearance. You'll need to drive over rocks and stumps, as well as get out of ditches, ravines, and ruts. That's why a good lift kit can be one of the best off road truck upgrades you can invest in.

A Winch

If you do enough off-roading around American Fork, you will inevitably get stuck. But a good winch can save the day by enabling you to pull your truck or a buddy's vehicle out of a rut. That's why a winch is one of the most useful off-road accessories you can add to your truck.

Extra Lighting

No one wants to find themselves in the middle of nowhere in the dark. If you're on the trail after sundown or before sunrise, you need some really good lighting. There are multiple off-road truck upgrades for lighting on the market. We recommend at least getting a good light bar, which is very effective at illuminating the trail ahead.

Body Protection

There are lots of things on the trail that can scratch up or dent your truck or, even worse, grab onto the underbody and rip parts off. So, you should consider getting some off-road accessories that will protect your vehicle. This includes skid plating, which will protect the underbody, a bull bar, which will protect the front of your truck, and a good grille guard.

Find Your Off-Road Truck at Boat Ranch

We carry a huge selection of high-quality used pickup trucks that are great for off-roading. We have dealerships in multiple convenient locations, and we'll even deliver your truck to you. You can get started right now by calculating your payment online. We're here to help, so drop by or contact us today!

Are There Different Types of Trailers for Pickups?

The short answer to the above question is a resounding yes. The different types of trailers for pickups are almost as varied as the jobs they're used for. In this quick guide, the team at Boat Ranch will cover a few different types of trailers for pickups that you may see on the roads of American Fork and beyond. These trailer types include the likes of utility, fifth-wheel and more! Keep reading to learn more about these trailer types and their uses - and be sure to contact us if you have any questions!

Different Trailers for Different Purposes

Trailers aren't a one-size-fits-all concept - different trailer types are engineered for different purposes. We'll cover a few different types of trailers in the sections below. (Keep in mind that you can always call us to get live help from a trailer expert during business hours.)

Fifth-Wheel Trailers

Easily identifiable by a coupling system within the pickup bed itself, fifth wheel trailers are designed to carry and evenly distribute heavy payloads. A well greased horseshoe shaped plate is mounted in the truck bed - the rotational capability of the coupling of this and the trailer's hitch are what is referred to as the "fifth-wheel." This pickup trailer type is often used for recreational/camping trailers.

Gooseneck Trailers

If you spot one around Hillsboro, the most notable feature of the Gooseneck trailer, and where it collects its namesake, would be it's long, tall trailer tongue. The trailer tongue of the Gooseneck type rises up and extends into the pickup be - much like the fifth-wheel type. The key difference is the hitch system. In the case of the gooseneck trailer, a much sharper turning radius is allowed for - but drivers must be wary of jackknifing, or possibly damaging the walls of the pickup truck's bed when making a sharp turn.

Conventional Trailers

The most common type of trailer you're likely to see around the Hillsboro area is the conventional trailer. Used for everything from small campers to boats, this trailer type features a traditional ball-type hitch.

Utility Trailers

Utility trailers are often used for hauling equipment - it's extremely important that weight is properly distributed with this trailer type, since an improperly distributed payload can cause issues with handling! A simple online search will show you how to properly load a utility trailer.

Talk Trailers and Towing at Boat Ranch!

Our team of tenured truck experts is just a short drive from Logan and is ready to help you with any questions you may have, and we're ready to help you make your trailering dreams come true with all the proper accessories and upgrades your truck may need. In the market for a hauling machine? Check out our online inventory!

How Much Does It Cost to Wrap a Truck?

So, you've found the perfect truck for your fledgling business and you drive it home. There's just one thing missing. It needs to be wrapped so that you can properly advertise your business as you roll through the streets of Logan. How much does it cost to wrap a truck? It can cost up to $5,000, but the average is lower than that. We discuss below how much to wrap a truck. And, if you need to know how much vinyl to wrap a truck, we discuss that, as well.

How Much Does It Cost to Wrap a Truck?

According to J. D. Power, how much to wrap a truck can range from $1,500 to $5,000. The only way to know for sure is get an estimate from a place that you trust. How much does it cost to wrap a truck if you do it yourself? It basically just costs the price of the wrap. We priced vinyl wrap online and can tell you that price varies widely. Getting enough vinyl to wrap a truck costs anywhere from a little more than $500 to well over $3,000, depending on the retailer. So, smart American Fork shoppers will want to shop around.

How Much Vinyl to Wrap a Truck

So, what if you want to do it yourself? How can you know how much vinyl to wrap a truck? Most experts say that the average truck will take 70 feet of 60-inch rolls. But pickup trucks come in different sizes and need different amounts of vinyl. A small Ford Ranger, for instance, is going to need far less vinyl than an F-250 Super Duty. So, it is best to do some calculations yourself. A good rule of thumb to calculate how much to wrap a truck is to get 3x the length of your truck, plus 5 to 15 feet extra for bumpers and mistakes (everyone makes them).

You will also want to determine how much of the car you want to wrap. You may just want a partial wrap with some highlights. And, some Hillsboro truck owners decide not to wrap the roofs of their trucks, since no one will see the roof, anyway

Check Out the Reliable Pickups on Our Lot

We carry a wide selection of quality, pre-owned pickup trucks. You should come and take one for a test drive. And if you'd like to read more tips, check out our posts on what to know before buying a truck and how to tell what trailer hitch you need.